Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
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Who else is loving this fall-like weather we are having? I know the summer lovers are going to sharpen their pitch forks and come after me with a vengeance, but I am ready for fall! Tuesday will mark the first day of the Non-Profit Take Out Tuesday's fair food experience hosted at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Hy-Noon Kiwanis are the first non-profit up this Tuesday and will be open 4-7 p.m. The World's Greatest County Fair will also be hosting a drive-through or walk-up Fair Food to Go experienc...
We are continuing to stay positive amidst the COVID-chaos. The recent rainfall of last week mixed with this week's forecast of little to no humidity and potentially more rain, is all cause for rejoicing. The girls have enjoyed using their rainboots for jumping in mudpuddles and dancing in the rain, plus are enjoying utilizing their umbrellas that were starting to get dusty from little use. The humidity last week had us frequently visiting the Scharnberg Park beach to enjoy the light breeze when...
COVID-19 has struck a blow to many rural events and Royal Fun Days was no exception. This past weekend was supposed to mark the town's 7th annual celebration. Typically, the Fun Days Committee along with the support of local businesses, organizations, raffles and other fundraising efforts combine to put on a three-day weekend of family fun. From softball tournaments, BINGO, kid's inflatables and costume parades to community meals, horseshoe tournaments, a street dance with live music and more, R...
How is everyone holding up out there? I'm remaining rather joyful amidst summer's ever-present chaos. We are finding normalcy in boating outings, pool dips and visits with family between running from here to there for daily obligations. Liam is one test and a few driving sessions away from completing his driver's ed course. I remember driving around Everly and Royal – what felt like 506 times – with Mr. Harmon politely coaching us from the passenger seat. "Relax. Focus. Be aware," and som...
Can you believe it is already mid-July? Summer is whizzing by faster than I care to admit. COVID-19 hasn't slowed us down as I shuttle children to and from work, drivers ed, swim lessons and other daily activities. The days are busy and flash by in the blink of an eye, but they're all filled with a lot of family fun. My husband and I recently celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. Due to our busy schedule, our four children made us a delicious meal of homemade pizzas and cupcakes. They...
As we venture through COVID-19 and tiptoe among the guidelines and uncertainty, we are finding solace and much joy in our quality family time. We try to see our "Grandma and Grandpa Greats" once a week and we usually see my in-laws and parents once a week, if not every other week. We understand that many don't have this important and blessed luxury, so we do not take it for granted and try to make the most of our time with one another. During our visits with our "Greats" we bring along two books...
Congratulations friends, you have made it over 100 days in Camp COVID. It's hard to believe that number is even remotely accurate, but unfortunately it is. You are braving this storm well and should give yourself much credit where it is due. You have undeniably been through the wringer...persevering through doubt, anxiety, stress, financial unbalance, the fear of contracting illness and workplace uncertainty. Now, we wait as we still wade through these ambiguous waters and try to find normalcy...
Royal Vision Board President Josh Toft and Secretary Lynn Cronk recently received a $5,000 check from Royal Telephone Company general manager John Noah to use on Phase 2 of the Royal Vision Board's Trail Project. Phase 1 was recently finished at the Royal Triangle Park, which provided sidewalks and handicap accessibility throughout the park....
How is everyone holding up out there? I pray you are staying positive, safe and as courageous as possible during these crazy times. It truly is unbelievable. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I now get to plan my daughter's seventh birthday without many of her closest friends by her side. She loves having every one of her classmates at each of her birthday parties. We like to have big backyard celebrations with water play, outdoor games, scavenger hunts, crafts, pinatas and of course cake, making...
COVID-19 has taken a back seat the past few weeks as we shift our focus to the injustices of our fellow humans. It's sick that there is still a debate about which lives matter. Yes, all lives do matter, but that's not what needs to be said right now. The Black Lives Matter movement is to stress and highlight that black lives do matter, especially amidst the trials, persecution and injustices they have faced for decades and centuries. That they matter; that's it. That's all the movement asks....
Evertek recently celebrated the longevity, talent and tenacity of their General Manager Roxanne White and newly-retired Board Member Bud Meyer. White has been with Evertek for more than 35 years. "I was the fourth employee of Evertek when I started as an accountant in 1985," she recalled. "To this day I love accounting, but I also have loved the many opportunities I've had there. I've enjoyed working in many different areas – switching, driving equipment, staffing and more." White became o...
Clay Central/Everly's can cages had a brief hiatus, but they're back and ready to be filled. CC/E encourages can and bottle donations to be left in the three can cages. Funds from donations help support the afternoon snack program, Mavpack backpack program and school field trips. Can cages can be found at three locations: Royal, north of the Royal Museum; Everly, south of the CC/E ag building near the Little League field; and Rossie, at the Rossie Store. The Clay Central/Everly can cages...
As Clay Central/Everly Elementary classrooms are swept clean and the Zoom classes cease, the district's teachers reflect on the twists and turns that made this year an interesting, yet rewarding, one for them and their students. What makes you passionate and proud to work at Clay Central/Everly? Mary Ann Jobst: Our district works towards creating powerful learners. CC/E has a strong team of caring teachers that continually work towards designing engaging learning experiences for all students....
Clay Central/Everly teachers recently closed the book on the 2019-20 school year with a group breakfast. It was held "COVID-style" this year, with acai fruit bowls and rolls served while teachers and staff sat socially-distanced around the lunchroom. Staff members were recognized for milestones met during their CC/E career. Typically, accolades are given starting at the 10-year achievement mark and continue with recognition for every subsequent five years. The end-of-the-year breakfast is a...
Goodness. Where do I begin? Is COVID-19 even a threat now that we have mass marches and riots all over America? I'm no conspiracy theorist, but when the puzzle pieces start taking shape, a bigger and more corrupt picture is shown. I'm not a fan of any of it. As people don their masks, head to their favorite restaurants, listen to live music and set up their camping sites, it's easy to get excited for a bit of freedom. Getting out there again sure has its mental and emotional perks, let alone...
Several generous donations recently helped make a community project in Royal become a reality, but there’s still a ways to go before officials can cut the ribbon. The Royal Visioning Board was recently awarded a grant by the Clay County Community Foundation that complemented other gifts from the Royal Telephone Company, Royal Lions Club, Legion Post #248 and Legion Auxiliary. The money is funding an improvement project that will increase accessibility to the city’s parks and shelter houses. The...
While spell-checking this article, Microsoft Word asked me if I meant to type the word "Covid." As I considered whether to "ignore, change, or add" this new word to my computer program's dictionary, I realized that I needed to push "add." This word is now part of our culture and immediate existence. We are a puppet in this disease's tangled marionette strings; not knowing what the future will bring or which way we will be jolted. We are cautiously venturing out onto the grounds, breaking free...
If you've ever driven on M27 in the spring, you have undoubtedly noticed the multi-colored signatures of Maverick seniors gracing intersections outside of Everly and Royal. The tradition has been alive and well for several years with senior class after senior class taking their turn painting the hill and blacktop. This year for the first time since Clay Central and Everly merged, there was no graduating senior class. The dissolution of CC/E's 7-12 grade program led those students to seek...
School may not be in session, but Clay Central/Everly Elementary is still making things fun and interactive by holding an online Spirit Week. Monday was Pajama Day, Tuesday celebrated Crazy Hair Day, Wednesday featured Mismatch Day, Thursday is Beach Day and Friday is Spirit Day. Families and students are encouraged to participate in the fun online event, keeping engagement alive and school spirit high while school is dismissed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured here, CC/E Elementary...
ide photography project started last Friday night in Royal when citizens took the opportunity to have their personal, family, business or community group photo taken during a night of Pandemic Porch Portraits. Four local photographers canvassed the town and took pictures for a community photo album. The album will hold the pictures with a paragraph alongside each describing the business, family or organization and their affiliation to Royal, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected...
Is this our new normal? Should I just plan on homeschooling Dorothy next year, let my band keep postponing dates, and counsel my sister in postponing her September wedding since Iowa isn't set to peak until August now? I sure hope not. I'm perfectly OK with us learning some major life lessons here. Like how important physical touch and quality time are. How to never let a hello, good morning, hug of love or embrace of kindness go by; how a visit to loved ones is worth every precious second and...
